Identifying a bird is not really that difficult. By following few basic strategies
you can increase your chances. First by color, then size, the bill shape, the habitat,
the food they choose, flight patterns, even perching posture.
Of course having a really great field guide to birds found in your specific area is
always very useful - I use Birds Of The Carolinas by Stan Tekiela - it has always
been my favorite.
Waiting for a bird to stand still for more than a few seconds is hard, tiring,
and much patience is required
Believe me on this. . . . . . .I've been holding a camera at the window for long
periods during this past cold, icy, snowy week, until my arms ached.
Now and then it brings success and one captures a really good shot, so worth
the discomfort, if you love birds. I'm not a 'birder', but I am a 'bird-watcher' and I do
love the way they bring movement and life to the garden, and I do spend a small
fortune on birdseed.
love the way they bring movement and life to the garden, and I do spend a small
fortune on birdseed.
This is the White-throated Sparrow, many are flitting around my garden this year.
A brown bird with gray tan chest and belly. Small yellow spot between the eyes.
Distinctive white or tan throat patch. White or tan stripes alternate with black on crown.
Color of throat patch and crown match. Female is same as male.
Without my field guide, which has much more information on this sweet bird,
I would not have know this sparrow from the Song Sparrow, House Sparrow or
Chipping Sparrow.
I am only a sparrow amongst a great flock of sparrows. . .
~ Eva Peron ~
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Beautiful pictures. thank you for spending so long waiting for the birds.
ReplyDeleteRosezeeta.
I saw that little head and said Sparrow ! I see them here all the time, they like my bird feeders.
ReplyDeleteSo cute and plump -- love these little sparrows!! xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures Mary. What camera and lens are you using to get that first shot?
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Penny
Penny, I'm back using my aging and so-loved Olympus SP-590UZ point and shoot - 26X wide zoom fixed lens! It's slow, but sometimes I do get really good pics with it and it's not heavy like the DSLR!
DeleteWe got 6" of snow last night - the heavy wet type, bending and breaking trees and shrubs, and our patio umbrella - and lost power for about 4 hrs. early today.
Mary -
And to think they are considered trash birds and thus, not protected. I bought a loaf of white bread at Wal Mart the other day as it was freezing and flocks of the little birds were sitting poofed up in the parking lot. A few were trying to drink a thin puddle of milk. My husband thought I was crazy.
ReplyDeleteLoved your sparrow. Fantastic photo well worth the wait. We don't have that sparrow here in France. and we are the same with food foe them, sometimes I think the shopping trolley has more bird seed in it than food for us. Mr France is building bird boxes, so I'm hoping to get the chance to see more baby birds.
ReplyDeleteA lovely photo of the white throated sparrow. I have never seen one but we have the white crowned sparrows here and they are a delight to watch as well as the other birds that are feeding at my feeders. After last night's snow the birds are in abundance today!
ReplyDeleteI am always so impressed with your bird shots. Such patience you have to stand at the window.
ReplyDeleteYou get some great shots of the birds - thank you for all of the 'waiting' involved. This bird lover enjoys your beautiful results!
ReplyDeleteLove the photos - sparrows are some of my favorite birds. I have sometimes put my camera on a tripod at the window - easy enough to swing around to capture a bird and my arms don't get so tired. Your results are spectacular.
ReplyDelete